A Servant's Life Well Lived
A servant known as a child of God, son, husband, father,
brother, uncle, Papa, Bishop and friend
-
Leonard heard the
voice of his Heavenly Father on the 25
th
of April say,
"
Come
Home and rest
".
Leonard peacefully answered the call.
Leonard was born May 21, 1941 to Leonard R. Koonce, Sr.
and Sarah M. Smith in Hallettsville Lavaca County, Texas.
He grew up in Cuero, Texas. Leonard attended Daule School
in Cuero and graduated in 1960. He then attended Tyler
Barber College.
Leonard accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at
the Little Zion Baptist Church. In September 1965, he
married the love of his life, Rose. In 1968, they welcomed
Ronda Michelle into their lives. In 1976, he moved his family
to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He was employed with the
Arlington Independent School District for 28 years.
In 1986, Leonard and his family united with the Sunset
Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Dr.
Matthew C. McGruder. He was ordained as a Deacon in
1988. Deacon Koonce loved everyone and was loved by so
many. His personality was contagious, and he left an imprint
on everyone he encountered. The simplest pleasures in life
brought great joy to Deacon Koonce. He loved watching
sports, reading his Bible/the Word and serving at the Sunset
Baptist Church. He will be forever missed.
He was preceded in death by his father Leonard R. Koonce,
Sr.; mother Sarah M. Smith; stepfather Gertie Smith; sister
Dorothy Jean Duston; brothers Wayne Koonce and Allen
Koonce.
Deacon Koonce leaves to cherish his memories his devoted
and loving wife Rose M. Koonce; beautiful daughter Ronda
Driver (Lonnie); grandchildren Rai
'
Mesha Driver, Ellade
Driver and Adrian Driver; greatgrandchildren Raelynn Jones,
Havana Speed and Adrian Driver Jr.; brother Bobby Stevens
and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and his
Sunset family.
